2 COPS, BUCOR EMPLOYEE KILLED IN PALAWAN SHOOTOUT

TWO members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and an employee of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Good Friday were killed in a shootout in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The fatalities were identified as Staff Sgt. Ryan Cris Cabaña, Staff Sgt. Jayson Fernandez, and Jerson Ojario Talon, an employee of the BuCor.

The three died on the spot.

An investigation showed the incident occurred in Bgy. Irawan in Puerto Princesa City  on Friday night.

Prior to the shooting, men drinking liquor at the wake of a dead neighbor reportedly mauled two individuals who, subsequently, sought help from policemen.

The policemen who arrived at the scene immediately started questioning people around about the trouble, reportedly causing tension in the area.

Witnesses told probers that Cabaña, Fernandez, and Talon were heard arguing with each other loudly before gunshots were heard.

A Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) was formed to solve the case while a hot pursuit investigation is ongoing to arrest the suspects.

PALAWAN CITY POLICE DIRECTOR RELIEVED

Puerto Princesa police director Col. Cristine Tabdi  was ordered removed from his post effective April 4, 2026  following  the incident.

Tapdi was replaced by Col. Dennis De Leon ,

The directive was issued by the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management and signed by Police Major General Constancio T. Chinayog Jr..

Before Tabdi was relieved as head of the Puerto Princesa police, three high-profile cases were recorded in the city —  the killing of lawyer Joshua Abrina, the shooting of CAAP personnel Joanna Infante, and the killing of two police officers and a BuCor personnel last Friday.